Ex-leader returns as Labour grip on council loosens
‘Red wall crumbling’ claim after poll success
THE jubilant Conservatives loosened Labour’s stranglehold on Hyndburn at the Local Elections - to build on their general election triumph under Boris Johnson in December 2019.
They gained five wards from their pre-election base, with former party boss Peter Britcliffe taking over the the seat of his daughter Sara in St Andrew’s ward, Oswaldtwistle - which she has vacated as she is now the MP.
They took a second seat in the ward, with a victory for Steven Smithson, and also gained councillors in neighbouring St Oswald’s ward, Altham, Church and in Rishton, where Independent Andrew Harris picked up a 23.5pc vote share after standing on a platform advocating creation of a new town council and protecting green belt.
Tory chiefs said it showed further evidence of the so-called Red wall heartlands “crumbling” under leader Sir Keir Starmer as Labour’s incumbent councillors Stephen Button, Stewart Eaves and Glen Harrison all suffered defeats as part of a net loss of four wards. The results leave Labour, which has 22 councillors, still in firm control of the town hall, but the Tories - who have 12 - are resurgent.
There is also one Independent, former Tory Patrick McGinley.
There were no elections this year in Clayton-le-Moors, Huncoat,
Immanuel
Milnshaw.
Conservative group leader Coun Marlene Haworth said: “We are absolutely delighted, ecstatic.
“This is great election for Hyndburn’s Conservatives and clear message the people of the borough are fed up with and
Labour rule. The Red wall is crumbling.”
Despite wins in half of the 12 wards to cast votes and their candidates edging the overall popular vote with 48.0 per cent to the Conservatives’ 46.7pc, Labour’s sole gain of the day came in Barnfield, with new member Caroline Montague elected with a 49 majority in a formerly Conservative held seat left vacant following the death of Tony Dobson last year.
Coun Miles Parkinson, leader of the council’s ruling Labour group, said: “It has not been a good election for us.
“We are still on control but there have been some shocking results - especially losing in Church ward.
“The Labour Party must engage with its working class voters, listen to them and change.”
The polls also saw veteran left-wing former Euro-MP Michael Hindley seeing off a strong showing from Wayne Fitzharris of the new Reform UK party, and former Labour councillor turned Tory Gareth Molineux in Great Harwood’s Overton ward.
Mr Britcliffe said: “I am celebrating a spectacular triumph for the Conservative Party in Hyndburn and very pleased to be back on the borough council.”
Ms Britcliffe said: “I am over the moon.
“Change is needed in Hyndburn and we will build on this result.”
The Tories welcome new members to their benches - Dominik Allen, Sajid Mahmood, Susan Hayes, and Carole Haythornthwaite, who was one of four councillors celebrating a double triumph after gaining a county council seat in Great Harwood, Rishton & Clayton-le-Moors to go alongside the Rishton ward victory.
The unusual feat - only made possible because of last year’s cancelled elections - was emulated by Coun Britcliffe (St Andrews - Con hold, Oswaldtwistle - Con hold) as well as Terry Hurn (Baxenden - Con hold, Accrington South - Con gain from Lab), and Munsif Dad (Springhill -
Lab hold, Accrington West & Oswaldtwistle Central - Lab hold).
Posting on her Facebook page, Ms Haythornwaite said: “I want to say how pleased I am to have been chosen to be a County Councillor for Great Harwood, Rishton, Clayton and Altham and a Hyndburn Councillor for Rishton.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me.
“My thanks also go to fellow candidate Peter Edwards, Barry Walker, Emy and Phil Burgess, Councillor Michael Miller, and new Councillor Dom Allen as well as Agent Gareth Molineux and our MP Sara Britcliffe who shared time so willingly with candidates.
“I will try my best to get things done in our area.
“Working for Hyndburn, working for you!”